Since an integrated concept of assumed common ground was proposed in a socio-cognitive approach to pragmatics, a holistic rather than dualistic view of communication has been generally accepted. However, it is yet to be investigated in what way such a concept may facilitate a better understanding of effective intercultural communication. This paper takes a statistical view of the dynamics of intercultural communication and argues that only moderate-sized cultural lumps transmitted in intermediate frequencies will achieve the best effectiveness. Assumed common ground is considered as the initiator of intercultural communication, the effectiveness of which is guaranteed by the participants’ consistent effort to put forward a basis for understanding. All sorts of communication are intercultural in nature.

An analogy between effectiveness of communication and energy of physical motion is made to explain how common ground can initiate as a joint effort the development of information (in a general sense) exchange to the effect of common goodness. The cultural lumps are scaled in accordance with categories of common ground, and the notion of indivisible smallest unit for cultural lumps is considered for more accurate measurement.

This preliminary conception is illustrated by a case study of the abridged translation of Hong Lou Meng by Chi-chen Wang. The historical background of this translation, the abridged form of it, and specific handlings of certain cultural elements of the original novel are analyzed to reveal the significance of measurement of common ground in intercultural communication: any intention to enhance or inhibit the effectiveness of communication won’t succeed unless assumed common ground takes the lead.

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Key words: assumed common ground, dynamics, measurement, intercultural communication, Hong Lou Meng